Posted on 01/12/2005 1:55:19 PM PST by vox_freedom
Gregoire sworn in as Washington governor
By David Ammons The Associated Press
OLYMPIA — Christine Gregoire, winner of the closest governor's race in Washington history, was inaugurated today, but faces an immediate court challenge that could make it a short-lived honor.
"Change is here and more is coming," she said in her first official speech.
Democrat Gregoire, 57, a scrappy three-term attorney general who took on the tobacco industry and polluters, took the oath of office before a joint session of the state Legislature. Minority Republicans had battled unsuccessfully to delay her inauguration for two weeks.
Republicans in the House Chamber rose along with cheering Democrats to greet her swearing-in, but did not join in the applause.
Backers of her Republican rival, former state Senate budget Chairman Dino Rossi, continue to agitate for a statewide revote.
Gregoire, in a prepared inaugural address, acknowledged her tiny election margin, and urged partisans not to let their differences paralyze the state.
"This is not an easy time to lead," she conceded. "Much has been written about red states and blue states and the great political divide — not to mention the razor-thin governor's race here.
"Many have asked how I can govern without a clear mandate from the voters. I believe the voters have given all of us a mandate — a mandate to overcome our differences and to solve problems."
Gregoire said the state is more unified than might be apparent from the election flap. Voters everywhere want good-paying jobs, affordable health care, effective and efficient government, good schools and colleges and a clean environment, she said.
She announced creation of a select commission on election reform, to be headed by Republican Secretary of State Sam Reed and the former Senate Democratic floor leader, Betti Sheldon of Bremerton.
"Clearly the election recount ordeal of the last two months has challenged us, and among our challenges this session is election reform," she said. "We want every vote to count — and to be counted right the first time."
Although the state is dependably Democratic, Gregoire narrowly lost the first two vote counts. But when Democrats ordered one final hand recount, she pulled ahead for the first time, by a minuscule 129 votes out of 2.9 million ballots cast.
Republicans say widespread irregularities, including votes cast by felons and dead people, spoiled the election to the point where it's impossible to truly know who won.
Invoking a rarely used law that allows an election "contest," Republicans have asked the courts to set aside the election and order a redo. Chelan County Superior Court Judge T.W. Small was hearing a motion today on the Democrats' attempt to intervene in the Republicans' lawsuit, and has scheduled more proceedings on Friday.
The case is expected to end up in the state Supreme Court, which has already ruled twice in election-related matters.
A sad day in the state of Washington.
Misprint/bad editing job. Should have read: "Democrat Gregoire, 57, a crappy three-term AG....."
Once sworn in... is this set, game, match? Im thinking of it in the terms of a president.
Gregoire---Hillary Lite.
And, no, it's not a precedent. The court will have the final say on this, whether Gregoire is the sitting governor or not.
The national MSM sat by and watched this theft happen. This cannot stand.
In my day, this was called fascism.
Watch her govern with an iron leftist fist and the GOP do nothing.
I am still puzzled how Fraudoire was sworn in when King County still hasn't answered about their 1800 more votes than voters.
Someone should go to jail over that certification.
Funny how she evens LOOKS like Hitlery isn't it?
They should be filing suit in every single county of the state over disenfranchised military voters. I watched about five minutes of her speech ... (The First Mike, how cutesy) which was all I could stomach.
The Dems just hope the public will tire of this affair and want to (I hate this term) just Move On.
no i mean it as president.. No court can overturn Bush once he is sworn in.. I was wondering if it was the same way as Gov.
Don't get your busines cards printed just yet, Gregoire...
If all else fails... Can you do a recall election like California?
That was kind of funny (the word games, not the election).
How corrupt is your state supreme court?
I don't know why those idiot Republican legislators bothered to attend at all. Not applauding wasn't enough of a statement of non-support for GregGore.
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